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Makeup Tips Beautynook’s Top 5

I know this isn’t a new idea, but I was doing my makeup the other day and started doing something that I thought was worth sharing. I was about to jump onto Instagram stories and share it, but then I had the idea to do it in blogpost form for future reference purposes 🙂 I’m calling it my top 5 makeup tips but I can’t guarantee I’ll keep it to 5 🙂

There’s no real rhyme or reason to these makeup tips. They’re really just things that came to mind and things I’ve learned over the years.

If you’re using a thicker foundation and find it hard to blend. Try spraying your foundation brush with makeup setting spray. It’ll make it easier to blend without compromising the longevity. It works if you’re using a sponge too.
If you have trouble putting gel liner in your water line. This is something I learned from Marlena aka Makeup Geek. I use to attempt to do it with a brush but it just tickles too much! Instead, try using a similar coloured eye pencil to apply it. Dip the pencil into the gel liner pot and use it as the tool. Makes tight lining so much easier. Thanks Marlena 🙂
Don’t directly powder over wet skin ie: oil or sweat, it leaves holes in your foundation. If you need to touch up, always try blot and then pat powder where necessary onto the face.
Filing indexes aka sticky notes or even sellotape works. Just me sure you take the access stickiness off on the back of your hand. (You don’t want to pull your eyes). They make a great eyeliner guide. Apply to the edge of your eyes in the direction you want your flick. Apply your liner or eyeshadow and then slowly pull the sticky notes off away from your face. You should be left with a clean line. It takes practice, but I promise it works.
We know dampening your brush makes metallics shadows and highlights apply more vibrant, right? If you don’t want to do that, you can use your setting spray as normal on your face and before it dries, apply your highlighter on damp skin. This will make it pop a little extra too and help it last longer.
Cheap eyeliners are often hard to use. If you want to soften the pencil and get use out of it. Run the tip through the flame of a lighter for a couple of seconds. Obviously be sure that it’s not hot to the touch when applying it to your eyes. But it will soften it and make it much easier to apply.
If you have an eyeshadow that you don’t get much pigment out of but love the colour. Try applying concealer or a white base (like the NYX Jumbo eye pencil) before it and pat it on with your finger. It will help with the opacity. Dampening your eyeshadow brush with water, setting spray, Duraline or even eye drops before application will help too.

I did a post here yonks ago about keeping your lashes curled all day. I thought that might be helpful to throw into the makeup tips mix too. And here is a demo of the winged liner tip in practice. The pictures and videos are horrendous but the methods still stands 🙂

If even one of these makeup tips helps you, I’ll be very happy, so please let me know. I definitely went over the quota of five ha!

xxx

July 13, 2018/by Gem

Makeup

Maybelline Master Precise Skinny Liner

I had seen the Maybelline Master Precise Skinny Eye Liner being used in a few American Youtuber’s videos. A couple of them compared it to the Kevyn Aucoin 1.5mm Mechanical Liners which you can see on the Sephora website here.

The Maybelline Master Precise Skinny liner is 1.8mm so not too dissimilar from a size point of view. Basically it’s a skinny ass liner as the name would suggest 🙂

For me, this is genius for tight lining the waterline. It’s something I find really uncomfortable so using a smaller tool is less invasive on the eyeball. You can see the difference in size here compared to a standard eye liner.

As always America got it way before we did, but I did stumble across it a couple of months ago in the new in section on the Maybelline stand in Boots. I paid €4.99 for it which I don’t think is too bad. I have seen it in store since but it isn’t on the Boots website, so I can’t link it like usual.

It comes in hot pink plastic mechanical packaging. When you first buy it the liner and has a rounded nib, that doesn’t last long though. So off the bat I will say, this is not the liner for you if you want something for more detailed liner work, which is how Maybelline are marketing it. The mechanical aspect is good however, if you twist up too much product, you can’t get it back in to the pencil, I have broken it a couple of times as a result. When it breaks you’re left with a blunt nib. And obviously wasting product as a result.

The liner itself is soft, really dark and pigmented. In America they have three colours to choose from, here we just have the black. It is super easy to use and works really well on the waterline. It is waterproof and lasts better than some of the other pencil liners I have used in the past. It does fade on the waterline after a few hours, but not completely. I do notice it gathers in the corners of the eyes and the tear ducts after a while, so that is something to be conscious of. I can get all day out of it on the top lash line though. It doesn’t transfer onto the lid and I do have oily eye lids. If you want to use it to smoke out the lash line, you have to work fast because it does set. I suggest doing one eye at a time and using a dense synthetic brush to blend it out.

Overall, I am a fan of the Maybelline Master Precise Skinny Liiner. It isn’t perfect, but it is a good liner and the size of it is really nifty. If you don’t like using gel liner in your waterline this could be a good alternative. It is also really handy to throw in your handbag for touch ups. Or, if you’re heading out after work and want to add some smokiness to your eye makeup.

xxx

December 14, 2016/by Gem

Beautynook Tips, Makeup

Easy Tight lining Tips

These are just really simple tight lining tips but like my last Beautynook Tips post about mascara here, I thought I would share just in case 🙂

I don’t know about you, when it comes to tight lining my waterline, I’m a bit funny. Using a brush just tickles the inside of eye and usually makes my peepers water, so it’s not really ideal.

I find gel liner is the best medium for staying put all day (and night) in the waterline. Kohl pencils just don’t cut the mustard when it comes to lasting power, especially for a night out, when you don’t want to have to keep topping it up. Inglot gel liners for me are some of the best out there. The Inglot liner in number 77 (black) is actually the first product I ever wrote about on Chatterbox. That was a little while ago now 🙂

They come in so many colours, and last so well, so well you need to use oils to get them off most of the time, but I am not complaining because they stay put, sometimes we have to make sacrifices 🙂

So onto my little application tip. Instead of using a brush to apply the gel into the waterline, use an eyeliner pencil!

This tip is one I got from the lovely Marlena owner of the now infamous Makeup Geek brand, which I am a HUGE fan of!

I usually pick one that’s a similar colour to the gel I’m using just so if there’s any transfer you can’t see it, but if you’re in a pinch any eyeliner will do.

Dip the the pencil into the gel and then apply the gel with the pencil.

It gives you an even distribution of product and it doesn’t tickle or annoy you like a brush might. I use this method every time and it works so well. Then when you want to use the pencil eyeliner as just a pencil just sharpen it to get rid of any excess gel, or just give it a wipe before the gel sets and you’ll be good to go!

If you have really watery eyes and find even the gel tends to move around on your waterline, try setting it on top with a similar coloured eyeshadow, that will help set the product even more!

Simple but hopefully a couple of handy tips there for you 😉

xxx

July 8, 2015/2 Comments/by Gem

Beautynook Tips, Makeup

How To Keep Your Eyelashes Curled All Day

Sometimes I forget that most people aren’t as obsessed with makeup and beauty products as much as me.I assume that everyone knows all the little tips and tricks that I’ve picked up along the way being a self confessed beauty addict.

This is not always the case, so I’ve set up a new little section to Beautynook called Beautynook Tips (unique name I know 🙂 I just want to keep it simple. Some of it may be common knowledge, some of it may not be, let’s just see where the wind takes us 🙂

So my first Beautynook Tip is going to be How To Keep Your Eyelashes Curled All Day.

I myself have pretty straight boring lashes, nothing to brag about or be proud of, so on a day to day basis I always put a little extra effort in to make them look a bit more full and curled.

Here are my lashes with no product on them:

Pretty bog standard right?

First up I like to give my lashes a really good curl.

I have used so many different types of lash curlers over the years. Some cheap, some not so cheap and my favourite by far have to be the Shu Uemura ones.

Not the most affordable, they will set you back around 20 euro, but whatever way they are shaped they just do a really good job at getting into the base of the lashes and doing the job well. When curling your lashes try to get as close to the base as possible (without hurting yourself of course). When you have all your lashes in the curlers, tilt it upwards slightly to help with the curling. Give the curlers a good few squeezes while you have them clamped on your lashes and hold them in place for a good 20 seconds or so to get the full benefit.

If you find your lashes won’t take a curl particularly well, try heating you lash curlers gently with a hair dryer. Give them a blast for about 5-10 seconds, you don’t want to get them too hot, but if they are heated slightly that will help with the process.

So eyelashes curled…check.

You can see that makes a huge difference already right?

Personally for me, most of the time, I find normal mascaras don’t cut the mustard when it comes to holding the curl in place all day long. This is a personal preference but I tend to go for waterproof formulas. I think as a general rule they hold a curl better and they don’t transfer onto my oily skin. At the minute I am using the Maybelline The Rocket Volum’ Express Waterproof, and I really like it.

I am not too particular about mascaras. If it does the job well, I will use any brand or price point. I am always on the look out for recommendations though so if you have one that you love be sure to let me know 🙂

When it comes to applying mascara I have found that applying from the base of your lashes, and wiggling the wand up to the tip is the best way to apply it. Use the bristles at the end of the wand to get into your outer lashes and fan them out for a more voluminous look. It applies product to every lash while helping to lift them into place before the mascara sets. I know waterproof mascara is more difficult to get off, but if you have trouble keeping a curl in your lashes, give it a go and I promise it will help. Just use an oil when cleaning and it will come off without too much trouble.

So mascara is added to the top lashes.

Ok this step might be a bit over the top. I use a different mascara for my bottom lashes. I know I know how high maintenance of me 🙂

I use the Mac Extended Play Lash mascara on my bottom lashes exclusively for a couple of reasons.

One it doesn’t budge and my bottom lashes notoriously smudge. I don’t find it very beneficial for my top lashes it’s not volume enhancing enough for me.

Also the wand it small and dinky.

You can get in to separate and coat all your little bottom lash hairs easier than with a big giant spooley like the one on the Maybelline mascara. I love having mascara on my bottom lashes I feel it opens your eyes and make you look more awake.

Bottom lashes done.

So lashes are done, but we can do one more step to make our lashes look a little fuller. Tight lining your upper water line really helps darken up your lash line and make your lashes look more voluminous. It’s not hugely noticeable here but I promise it helps. I will be honest and say it doesn’t feel very pleasant when you do it, but after a while you get used to it 🙂 Of course use a waterproof formula eye kohl or gel as you want it to stay put for as long as possible.

I tend to tight line my bottom water line too most days, I personally just feel I look a bit better with it done, so I’ll show you the finished look below.

There you have it, my first installment of Beautynook Tips. It seems like a lot of steps but I reckon I can knock this out in about 5 minutes now and once the mascara is on, it doesn’t budge until you take it off. These are tried and tested products.

If you have any tips or tricks you want to share be sure to add them in the comments below. If you have anything else you would like me to cover, let me know too.

Thanks for reading as always and have a great day 🙂

xxx

July 2, 2015/2 Comments/by Gem

Inglot AMC Matte Gel Eyeliner in 77 (Black) Review

So you’re thinking to yourself, not another blog post about gel eye-liner… but please hear me out.

Inglot do some great make-up, the brand just seemed to creep up out of nowhere and make us spend all of our hard earned dosh on their lovely stuff, how dare they 🙂

The AMC Matte gel eye-liner in 77 (black) is by far one of my favourite products from them. It doesn’t look like anything exciting, a little plastic tub with something inside it resembling shoe polish.

Upon application this stuff will stay put forever, it is so creamy, dense in colour, easy to apply but can be a little hard to get off at the end of the night which is a pain, but is the mark of a good eye liner in my opinion.

I usually only wear this stuff when I’m off out of an evening or if I’m out for the whole day and want a full face of make-up. It dries to a matt finish and does not transfer (from my oily lid knowledge) to the top lid. My favourite use for it is in the water line and for tight lining the inside of my eyes. I tend to use a sharpened Kohl pencil and dip it in the product rather than a brush because I just feel it’s less ticklish, that’s a personal preference though. I double apply it, I put some on after finishing my shadows and let it dry and then before I head out the door I apply again, just to be safe. I kid you not it stays put all day! Most of the time I don’t even bring out an emergency eye-liner with me for touching up and I haven’t found it to irritate my eyes although I don’t get irritated very easily. The product itself lasts pretty well, The pot I have is lasting pretty well (about six months and still going strong).

If you’re not a black eye-liner gal, Inglot do the AMC eyeliners in a huge range of colours and different finishes. They retail for 15 euro. Inglot can be found worldwide. I have a good selection of the colours and am happy with all of them.

Have you used it before? What’s your opinion? I would love to hear your feedback.

Thanks for reading.

Gemma

xxx

January 3, 2014/5 Comments/by Gem

Posts

Don’t directly powder over wet skin ie: oil or sweat, it leaves holes in your foundation. If you need to touch up, always try blot and then pat powder where necessary onto the face.

If even one of these makeup tips helps you, I’ll be very happy, so please let me know. I definitely went over the quota of five ha!

xxx

I had seen the Maybelline Master Precise Skinny Eye Liner being used in a few American Youtuber’s videos. A couple of them compared it to the Kevyn Aucoin 1.5mm Mechanical Liners which you can see on the Sephora website here.

The Maybelline Master Precise Skinny liner is 1.8mm so not too dissimilar from a size point of view. Basically it’s a skinny ass liner as the name would suggest 🙂

These are just really simple tight lining tips but like my last Beautynook Tips post about mascara here, I thought I would share just in case 🙂